DIY Walk-in Closet Makeover With Epoxy Countertop

This Pinterest pin was the inspiration for my closet makeover. My space is much smaller but the elements like the long countertop and built-in look were ones that I thought I could achieve in the small space.

Supplies

For a complete list of all the tools and materials used along with links to the products, please visit our website at this link.

All the metal pegboards and accessories were ordered from Wall Control.

Step 1: Watch the Video!

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Step 2: Empty Closet

Before anything could start in this closet, everything had to come out including the old wire shelving! I was very happy to see that go as I never liked it.

While removing everything, I took time to assess what was in the closet and what I wanted to eventually bring back in.

With that in mind, I had a couple of goals:

1. Remove all the clutter; things like Christmas decorations, etc had no place in this closet
2. Ruthlessly purge clothing I hadn't worn in over a year to make space for the thing I regularly wear
3. Create ample wall hung shoe storage and purge my shoe collection

By removing everything that didn't need to be in this closet, I knew I'd have enough space for everything I did want to bring back in.

Step 3: Install Hanging Clothes Rods

Once everything was removed from the closet and all the wire shelving was out and the wall spackled and painted, it was time to install the new hanging clothing rods.

The previous hanging space was a single rod across the entire back of the closet with double hanging space on one end. With the purge of clothes, I knew a double rod situation would work.

We installed two closet rod brackets for the rod which will also hold a shelf. The new clothing hanging space is installed in one end of the closet. The opposite end will be wall hung shoe storage.

We installed two sets of brackets to hold the rods. The upper brackets also hod a shelf. We created hanging space for dresses on one end by cutting the second rod a bit shorter than the upper one. Now there is space for dresses and the extra space under the dresses is the perfect spot for a suitcase.

Step 4: Add Wall Control for Wall Hung Storage

Because of the small space, I wanted to utilize the wall to hold shoes, purses, and more. Wall Control panels and accessories gave me the storage space needed without taking up valuable floor space.

The panels on the left have shelves with shelf guards that I use to hold stuff I wanted to have more accessible. These things were stored under the sink which is not that convenient.

The paper towel holder is handy for quick cleanup in the bathroom.

There are lots of pegs that hold belts, my collection of flannel shirts that stay out year round, as well as purses and hats.

The wall hung shoe storage takes up very little space and makes it easy to find what I need. Using nine of these Wall Control strips gives me space for 18 pairs of shoes in a little space. The strips come in galvanized grey, but I wanted white, so I simply painted them! Since these are not going to get a lot of rough use, chipping of the paint should not be a problem.

Step 5: Build the Countertop

The base of the counter is made up of three seventies era Ethan Allan dressers. I used Dixie Belle paints to repaint them prior to moving them into the closet. See that picture with the bed? Those are the original dressers in their seventies yellow factory finish!

We removed the baseboards in the closet so that the dressers would fit flush to the wall. Once the dressers were in place, we were able to take accurate measurements to make the countertop.

We cut 3/4 inch plywood to size and added a 1 1/2" board to create an overhang on the front. The top was primed and then painted with the closet wall color.

To create the epoxy countertop, we used Total Boat Tabletop Epoxy. It has a one to one mixing ratio making it super easy to measure and mix.

I wanted the closet countertop, which can be seen from the bathroom, to mimic the look of the Cambria quartz bathroom countertop. I thought these color chips from Rust-Oleum would give me the look I wanted. But first, I sorted out all the black chips as I only wanted the mix of grey, white, and metal silver. I was unable or unwilling to remove the tiniest specks of black so you'll see those in the countertop. I like them as it give a little more depth to the look.

We simply tossed the flecks into the air to land randomly on the wet epoxy. It was difficult to get the flecks on the edge so I simply blew them onto the wet epoxy!

Step 6: Add a Wood "backsplash"

We decided to add a natural, warm element to the space by reusing this old mid-century shelf. Here we are trying it out for size. That piece in the front, also from the same old shelving unit is going to sit on the top like a ledge.

The old piece was cleaned and the top ledge was glued and screwed into place. We put a French cleat on the back to hang it on the wall.

The old piece was cleaned and the top ledge was glued and screwed into place. We put a French cleat on the back to hang it on the wall and added a piece of wood on the back side near the bottom so it would sit flat on the wall.

Step 7: Build a Riser for the Dressers

The closet was basically finished and I had been using it for weeks when I decided I wanted to raise the cabinets to counter height! Counter height is much more comfortable for folding clothes. Plus, the drawers are six inches higher making it easier to put things away. We built a very simple riser out of a couple of 2x6 boards. The finished base was painted in the closet wall color. Pro tip: those long clamps were a hazard while they were in place. We put a pool noodle on each end so if (when) we ran into them, we wouldn't impale ourselves!

Step 8: Bring Back Clothes and More and Decorate!

I brought back in everything I wanted to stay in the closet. There is plenty of room to hang things and drawer space for other clothes. On the left side of the countertop is a hutch from the same Ethan Allan collection. That got painted the same color as the walls and is used mainly for display rather than storage.

The countertop is purposely kept clutter free as I use it for folding clothes and towels. There are some vintage frames on the shelf. We also added a mirror above the wood "backsplash."

Not show, but I replaced that small gray rug with one from the same brand that fills that entire space. It's super soft and makes the closet feel so luxurious!

This newly renovated space is everything I wanted! It's easy to find things and easy to maintain the organization!

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